The Calgary Hitmen clinched a playoff spot with a 6-4 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors on Wednesday night in the Saskatchewan city.

Jake Virtanen and Pavel Padakin each scored twice, while Brady Brassart had three assists as the local Western Hockey League squad won its eighth-straight affair to improve to 40-15-3-3.

Virtanen scored his first on a wrist shot off the wing that eluded Moose Jaw goalie Justin Paulic and then charged to the net with speed and undressed him for his second of the night. His hat-trick bid was denied by a post in the third period.

With the Hitmen leading 4-1, Calgarian Zach Sawchenko came on in relief to start the third and immediately made a huge save on a 2-on-0 chance. The Warriors gained momentum off that, pulling within one on goals by Colton McCarthy and Jack Rodewald, but they’d get no closer.

Calgarian Brayden Point had a goal and two assists for Moose Jaw.

Travis Sanheim picked up an assist on Alex Roach’s goal, givi ng him 10 helpers in the past four games. That tally also extended Calgary’s power play streak to nine straight.

The Hitmen are in Brandon on Friday (6:30 MT, SN960). The eastern road swing wraps up in Regina on Saturday (6 p.m. MT, SN960).

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